Story perspectives

Dudy Purwagandhi Orders Eight Airport Closures Over Ash

9/7/2026

Summary

Transport Minister Closes Airports

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi ordered eight airports, including Soekarno-Hatta, to close because of volcanic ash.
The ministry said 170,000 passengers faced cancellations across the affected airports.
Soekarno-Hatta halted 209 flights carrying 22,798 passengers until at least 6 pm on Sept 7.
AirNav Indonesia reported over 400 flights stopped, offering free bus rides and extra train capacity.
Jakarta and Lampung schools shifted to remote learning as officials warned high eruption risk.

Summary

Anak Krakatau Erupts

Anak Krakatau remains on Alert Level III, the second-highest on Indonesia’s four-tier scale.
Geological Agency recorded tremors up to 70 mm amplitude during the September 5-6 eruptions.
Authorities set a 3-km exclusion zone, banning vessels near the crater.
Health ministry urged residents to wear masks and stay indoors.
A monitoring camera was disabled after being struck by eruptive material.

History

Historical Context

The 27 August 1883 eruption of Krakatoa in the Dutch East Indies destroyed over 70 % of the island, ejecting about 1.5 million tons of material and killing at least 36,417 people. A new cone, Anak Krakatau, emerged after 1927 and its 2018 collapse produced a 5-meter tsunami. Its 2024 ash plume again halted flights at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, underscoring ongoing volcanic risk.

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Transport Minister Closes Airports

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi ordered eight airports, including Soekarno-Hatta, to close because of volcanic ash.
The ministry said 170,000 passengers faced cancellations across the affected airports.
Soekarno-Hatta halted 209 flights carrying 22,798 passengers until at least 6 pm on Sept 7.
AirNav Indonesia reported over 400 flights stopped, offering free bus rides and extra train capacity.
Jakarta and Lampung schools shifted to remote learning as officials warned high eruption risk.

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